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Palestinians in purgatory

The number of internally displaced Palestinians is currently estimated to be around 300,000. A fact the Israeli government is keen to ignore. Hardly surprising, considering that acknowledging IDP rights of return would necessarily entail recognising the events of 1948 in their entirety. By Mona Bieling More

New wave of Turkish asylum-seekers

More and more Turks are applying for political asylum in Germany. They feel threatened and repressed by the Erdogan government and they fear for their lives. Most applicants are Kurds, like Mazhar Zumrut. Yet whether or not the Kurd from Diyarbakir may remain in Germany is uncertain. Report by Volker WittingMore

Women's rights in Iran

The "My Stealthy Freedom" Internet campaign is designed to make Iranians aware of women’s rights in their homeland. The project’s aim is to free women from their often passive victim roles and inspire them to start their own initiatives. By Iman AslaniMore

Iran′s image in the West

Journalists, business people, tourists, artists and culture professionals – in 2016 many more foreigners travelled to Iran than in previous years. The visitors often remark on how inspiring the "desire for freedom" and "cosmopolitanism" of young Iranians in particular is, leading to a host of superficial observations. By Stefan BuchenMore

Hate crime report by Germany′s Institute for Human Rights

Thanks to the divisive rhetoric of US President-elect Donald Trump, respect for human rights took a battering during the US election campaign. All the more important therefore that Germany and its European partners remain committed to upholding them. By Hugh WilliamsonMore

Islam and enlightenment

Anyone in Europe calling for Islam to finally go through a phase of enlightenment should first pause for critical reflection on our own concept of Enlightenment, writes the prominent Islamic studies expert Ulrich Rudolph More

Interview with Tunisian Secretary of State Saida Ounissi

In 2014, Saida Ounissi (29) was elected to the Tunisian Parliament as an MP for the Ennahda movement. She is currently Secretary of State to the Ministry of Vocational Training and Labour. In interview with Peter Schaefer, she describes growing up with Islamophobia and racism in France and suggests ways of preventing youth radicalisationMore

Conscientious objection in Egypt

Military service is obligatory for young men in Egypt. But an increasing number of people attempt to evade the compulsory service by being signed off or exempted. For those with no other option, conscientious objection remains the last resort. Sofian Philip Naceur reports from CairoMore

World Cup 2022 and Qatari reforms

In a world where human rights are increasingly being put on the backburner, fears are growing among rights and trade union activists that Qatari promises of labour reform and greater liberalism are just that – mere promises. By James M. DorseyMore

Iranian scholars in exile

Religious scholars in exile are challenging the basic tenets of Shia Islam. Their professional authority is indisputable. And they are in close contact with Shia teaching activities in their homeland via the Internet. One of the heretical questions they are asking: is the Koran the word of God or a dream told by the Prophet? By Ali SadrzadehMore

Climate conference in Marrakesh

With this year's UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Marrakesh, more media attention is being paid to environmental activists and green issues in Morocco than ever before. But will this have a lasting impact on the collective awareness of environmental issues, environmental protection and climate change policy in this north African country? Martina Sabra reportsMore

Turkey′s repression of Kurdish media

The working conditions for Kurdish journalists in Turkey have always been difficult. But since the failed coup attempt in July this year, their work is being hindered in an alarming manner. By Sonja Galler in Diyarbakir More

Islam and violence

When asked what they associate with Islam, too many Germans think of violence. The accusation that Muslims have a particular affinity with violence that is motivated by their religion is not as new as some people think, in fact it is an echo of ancient Western cliches. By Bulent Ucar More

Climate change consequences for the Islamic world

The countries attending the Climate Change Conference in Marrakesh are ready to commit themselves to the fight against global warming. Even if greenhouse gas emissions do begin to decrease, however, the climate change already underway will have devastating consequences for the host country and for the rest of the Arab-Islamic world. By Stefan Buchen More

Muslims in the USA

The American Muslim Hind Makki works to promote interfaith dialogue in her neighbourhood Bridgeview, known as the "Little Palestine" of Chicago. She observes that in recent times, the Islamic minority's interest in politics has risen sharply – thanks to Trump. By Canan TopcuMore

Islamophobia in the USA

Hate crime against Muslims in the US is at its highest level in 15 years. The #MuslimsHaveRights campaign assembles academics, activists and artists who refuse to accept anti-Muslim bigotry. By Phoebe BraithwaiteMore

Disabled refugee children in Jordan

Syrian refugee children with disabilities and war injuries are especially in need of help. The Al Hussein Society in Jordan offers them more than just therapeutic support; it also promotes the participation of people with disabilities in society. A report from Amman by Claudia MendeMore

Marital traditions in the Islamic world

The number of arranged marriages in the Middle East and North Africa is decreasing. Matrimony between cousins is still widespread, but matches of this kind now account for at most a quarter of all weddings. A growing number of young people find their partners without mediation; marriage for love is their ideal. By Martina SabraMore

Secularism in the Islamic world

In the second part of his essay on secularism in the Islamic world, Saudi analyst Khalid al-Dakhil addresses the ready confusion, found particularly in Islamic writings, of secularism as a concept and separating religion and the state as a legal-political reality. What is the difference? More

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Fleeing war-torn Syria, painter Majd Kara found himself in Lithuania where half the population says they refuse to help asylum-seekers. Now holding his second exhibition, Kara is changing the country's attitude. By Karolis Vysniauskas

Philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah: Mistaken identities

In the BBC's annual radio series of Reith Lectures, the philosopher and cultural theorist Kwame Anthony Appiah argues that when it comes to religion, we overestimate the importance of scripture and underestimate the importance of practice.More

Pew Research Center: Islam and national laws in the Muslim world

Across 10 countries with significant Muslim populations surveyed by Pew Research Center in 2015, there is a striking difference as to the extent to which people think the Koran should influence their nation’s lawsMore

"Proud to be both British and Muslim"

Over 100 Muslim women tell Sharia Inquiries why their voices must be prioritised

On 1 November 2016, the Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWNUK) issued an open letter on the Shariah Council inquiries. In an unprecedented move, the letter has been signed by over 100 Muslim women from across the religious spectrum in 34 towns and cities and includes lawyers, health...More

Exploiting the vulnerability of Syrian exiles

BBC's Panorama goes undercover to find the sweatshops making clothes for the British high street.More

Video: Women "permanent legal minors" in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship system remains the most significant impediment to women’s rights in the country despite limited reforms over the last decade. Adult women must obtain permission from a male guardian to travel abroad, marry, or be released from prison, and may be required to provide guardian consent to work or get health care.More

Historian Bettany Hughes delves into Europe's Islamic heritage

British historian Bettany Hughes examines a long-buried chapter of European history - the rise and fall of Islamic culture in what is now Spain and Portugal.More

Three Faiths Forum

3FF is a UK charity that works to build understanding between people of different faiths and beliefsMore

Amnesty International: Rediscovering our common humanity

When talking about the problem of refugees, we use dehumanised language, which reduces human tragedy to numbers and statistics. But this suffering concerns real people, who – just like us - have families, loved ones, friends; their own stories, dreams, goals...More

"Patriarchy is not a divine institution"

Muslim scholar and feminist Amina Wadud speaks out about the role of women in Islam. Wadud sparked controversy in the mid-1990s and in 2005 when, as a female imam, she led Friday prayers.More